Preterm babies cared for in the intensive care nursery are exposed to amounts of light that are very different from the exposures to an unborn baby or the newborn term baby. Currently many nurseries try to protect premature babies from too much light. They may also try to create light conditions of day and night like many parent homes. Some studies have shown improvements in health and development of babies cared for in nurseries that try to change light for premature babies.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
121
Cycled light was provided in an 11-hour-on, 11-hour-off pattern. Daylight (240-700 lux) was provided with the incubator cover folded on top of the incubator allowing light in from four sides, or with the bassinet cover off during day hours (0730-1830). With the daylight range of 240-700 lux and limited access to natural light, excessive daylight was prevented. Continuous near darkness was provided as (5-30 lux) throughout the day except from 0630-0730 and 1830-1930, when lighting levels varied based on nursing care needs at the change of shift. Near-darkness (5-30 lux) was provided by using incubator (totally covered or with the front flap back) and bassinet covers, and dimming individual bedside light during the day (0730-1830) and night hours (1930-0630).
Infant weight gain trajectory
This measure was single blinded.
Time frame: weekly inpatient up to 52 weeks post menstral age (PMA) and at outpatient visits to 18 months
Change in sleep development during hospitalization
Change in the developmental pattern of four sleep wake states (active, quiet, transition, awake) were evaluated during hospitalization.
Time frame: Every three weeks up to 52 weeks PMA
Change in sleep development after discharge home
Change in the development of sleep and wake bouts were evaluated following hospital discharge until the infant reached 24 months PMA
Time frame: Every 5 months following hospital discharge up to 24 months PMA
Mental Development
Mental development was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development.
Time frame: 9 months PMA
Psychomotor Development
Psychomotor Development was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development
Time frame: 9 months PMA
Mental Development
Mental development was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development.
Time frame: 18 months PMA
Psychomotor Development
Psychomotor Development was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development
Time frame: 18 months PMA
Length of Hospitalization in Days
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Length of hospitalization from birth until discharge home.
Time frame: At hospital discharge from 0 to 222 days
Severity of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
ROP change over time and degree of severity was assessed until 24 months PMA
Time frame: Up to 52 weeks
visual acuity
Time frame: Measures at 12 months PMA
Neurological development
Neurological development was assessed by a neurological exam as either normal, suspect or abnormal and the presence of absence of Cerebral Palsy
Time frame: 9 months PMA
Brainstorm Auditory Evoked Potentials
Time frame: 6 months
Neurological development
Neurological development was assessed by a neurological exam as either normal, suspect or abnormal and the presence of absence of Cerebral Palsy
Time frame: 18 months PMA
Change in Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
ROP change over time and degree of severity was assessed until 24 months PMA
Time frame: Every two weeks during hospitalization after 30 weeks PMA up to 52 weeks PMA and during outpatient visits up to 24 months PMA